Widely recognised as
one of London’s most perfect villages, full of beautiful shops, prime period
properties and green open spaces, Wimbledon is an idyllic location for any
family.
Therefore, it came
as no surprise to Up Architects
when they were appointed by a young family, who required more space, to deliver
the full refurbishment and extension of their existing home.
Kebony, a global leader in the production of
sustainable modified wood, was carefully selected by the architects for the
exterior cladding of the extension to create something truly beautiful without
being ostentatious.
After making the
decision to stay in their house, rather than moving to a bigger property in the
area, or moving away from the children’s school, the family recognised their
pressing need for more space.
Up Architects wanted
to design an extension that stood out from the run-of-the-mill extensions in
the area, and started with the idea of a single large space that could be
adapted to suit the family's needs over time, incorporating dining, living, a
playroom, study area, TV room and guest room into the brief. Now their hectic
family life could take place in a modern, light filled open-plan living space,
all with an enhanced connection to the garden.
In keeping with the
client’s brief, the design is simple, un-assuming and honest with two simple
roof forms sitting over the main space, formed from an exposed glulam timber
structure with Kebony cladding used for the exterior walls and roof.
The simple geometry
of the twin-hipped roofs breaks up the bulk seen from outside and defines the
different spaces internally without a physical division.
The timber Kebony
cladding lines up across the walls and roof, with compound mitred joints,
making the whole extension appear to be carved from one block of wood, with no
visible gutters to compromise the sharp lines.
All
the timber used was sustainably sourced and the Kebony cladding is guaranteed
for 30 years. Developed in
Norway, Kebony’s revolutionary technology is an environmentally friendly and
patented process which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the
wood with furfuryl alcohol - an agricultural by-product.
By polymerising the
wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical
hardwood including high durability, hardness and dimensional stability. This
unique process also provides Kebony with its characteristic appearance, which only
grows more beautiful with time.
Marty McColl,
Director at Up Architects commented: “Following our appointment for this
project, it was essential that the family felt they had made the right decision
in opting for an extension rather than moving house.
"We were able
to create substantially more space, whilst ensuring the extension reflected the
brief to build something that was beautiful in design without being
ostentatious; we are thrilled with the final product and loved working with
Kebony to transform this traditional suburban semi-detached house into a
contemporary and more practical family home.”
Adrian
Pye, International Sales Director at Kebony added: “We are delighted with the
growing demand for Kebony extensions, the wood is extremely versatile and can
be used for both traditional and modern properties as well as detached,
semi-detached or terrace houses.
"It is evident that Up Architects have carefully considered the brief
and created the perfect living space to meet the needs of this young family and
the final product is a testament to their hard work.”
